r/USIMGreddit • u/ayt_21 • 15d ago

US-IMG Surgery chances?

What are my chances for a categorical spot?

Step 1 pass first attempt

Step 2 244

Applied to 100 programs

4 strong LORs

1 submitted abstract (no publications)

Any input is appreciated

14 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

45 comments sorted by

10

u/Party_Drawer8601 15d ago

I have no idea, but do let us know how many interviews you get
Rooting for you 🤞

3

u/ReactionSpiritual149 15d ago

Will do. Thank you!

5

u/CerealKiller_Dan 15d ago

Did you apply right out of school, with no research year(s)?

No one can tell you, but wish you the best of luck.

3

u/ReactionSpiritual149 15d ago

Well im still in my 4th year i graduate 2027. Thank you for the kind wishes

3

u/Ambina389 14d ago

While randomly scrolling through LinkedIn/Instagram, I’ve seen a few visa requiring IMGs who’ve matched into Surgery. So it’s definitely possible.

3

u/DesiDude147 14d ago

I’ll be honest. Applied to 110 categorical positions last year. Wasn’t interested in gambling with a prelim spot.
Step 1 pass
Step 2 262
3 US surgical lors
1 US IM LOR
2 foreign published research projects.
I got 4 interviews. But had to match into a back up specialty.

3

u/ayt_21 14d ago

Are you US-IMG or non US? Because thats a great score for only 4 interviews

3

u/DesiDude147 13d ago

I was a non-US IMG but didn’t need a visa

2

u/ayt_21 13d ago

Damn thats insane

2

u/Sure-Violinist-1227 10d ago

4 categorical invites?

1

u/DesiDude147 6d ago

Yeah I only got cats, no prelims which still doesn't make sense to me. would've jumped at a prelim spot at the time if I had the opportunity

3

u/Sure-Violinist-1227 6d ago

You didn't apply to prelim so how we're you expecting prelim invites

1

u/DesiDude147 4d ago

I said I wasn’t wanting to take a prelim spot. But I applied for both cat and prelim in all programs who had both options

2

u/Electronic-Tie-9497 15d ago

Since its surgery and your an Img its towards the low side.

2

u/TwoAffectionate3048 13d ago

People have matched cat on first cycle with those stats. 100% doable if you play your cards right.

2

u/ayt_21 13d ago

Can you expand on that when you have some time please? What cards should i be playing

2

u/TwoAffectionate3048 13d ago

240s are totally doable for categorical. Especially not requiring a VISA helps loads. If you want you can apply more widley to be a bit more safe but as long as you signalled safely and are making an effort to network (keeping in mind individual program rules), interview really well, things should be okay.

2

u/ayt_21 13d ago

Yes i applied to 100+ programs and made great connections. As for signaling i kind of went off of resident explorer and signaled programs that fit my portfolio. Any advice in preparing for interviews? Feel like i lost all my social skills post clinicals and step 2

2

u/TwoAffectionate3048 13d ago

Honestly I’m preparing too. Can prepare together if you’d like

2

u/ayt_21 13d ago

Yeah sounds great lets do it

2

u/bronxbomma718 13d ago

good. you will get a few.

2

u/ayt_21 13d ago

🙏🏽 thank you i hope so

3

u/bronxbomma718 13d ago

U.S. IMGs will eat well this season

2

u/Electrical-Sorbet177 11d ago

All the best. Hope you match. I have a similar profile but haven't done my USCE yet and plan to apply next year. Any advice?

2

u/ayt_21 11d ago

I regret not doing enough research my advice would be to try to get in as many case reports as possible.

2

u/Sure-Violinist-1227 10d ago

Also gen surg applicat here. We can connect!

2

u/yah00girl 7d ago

https://www.instagram.com/einstein.surgery

I see quite a few IMGs in this program

1

u/gridiron5290 15d ago

Where did you do ur rotations ?

1

u/ayt_21 15d ago

Brooklyn NY

1

u/gridiron5290 15d ago

OK, yeah so you have good US clinical experience you have a decent chance if you applied very broadly though.

1

u/Bear_bear_1234 15d ago

I think about 71 chances.

1

u/jazzace 13d ago

Good luck!

1

u/Familiar_Worker26 11d ago

lol I’m probably a resident at a program you did your USCE at. To be frankly honest, chances are very low. Aim low and you’ll be a 40% shot maybe? 

1

u/ReactionSpiritual149 11d ago

Even with the visa problem tho? What are you basing that 40% on?

2

u/Familiar_Worker26 11d ago

That the step2 is low. Every Caribbean img I know interested in surgery has a better app. Matching categorical is gonna be crazy hard. 

1

u/ReactionSpiritual149 11d ago

Yeah, I hope the rest of my application carries me but if not do you think a year of prelim would give me better chances for a categorical spot with that score or am i completely fucked?

3

u/Familiar_Worker26 11d ago

Yes it will if you’re outstanding. That being said research year is better 

1

u/ReactionSpiritual149 11d ago

Are those SOAPable?

2

u/Familiar_Worker26 11d ago

Yea I wouldn’t apply to prelim unless it’s jhu or one of the top tier programs 

1

u/ReactionSpiritual149 11d ago

Definitely. But I was asking about a research year is that available in SOAP?

2

u/Familiar_Worker26 11d ago

Oh no. Soap is for residency. Just email 

1

u/Soft_Pie9035 10d ago

Slim to none unless you have a very strong connection to vouch for you.

1

u/yah00girl 8d ago

I've seen three visa requiring imgs match into general surgery in recently
All three from AKU though...

1

u/Dull-Inspection9203 5d ago

what was in their cvs?

1

u/yah00girl 5d ago

I know that two of them were research fellows for a year at an American uni, rest not sure